Abbey Holmes, our current favourite commentator, will step back into Seven’s AFL commentary line-up on 25th July. This return comes only seven weeks after she gave birth to her first child, son Braxton John Brooksby. The highly prized influencer welcomed her little bundle of cuteness on June 6th. Her next return to the network will be for the much-anticipated Essendon vs Western Bulldogs clash on Marvel Stadium.
Holmes had a long and painful pregnancy experience. She needed a C-section, and that meant they had to plan for her return to work around the procedure. Even with these challenges, she looks forward to juggling her professional responsibilities with her newfound duties of being a mom.
“I’ve been watching so much footy and now I’m rapt to be back in the thick of it,” Holmes stated. She was excited to talk about her new job wearing two hats. Finding a way to balance being a mother with work that she’s passionate about makes Barbara happy beyond measure.
Holmes, who is married to former AFL footballer Keegan Brooksby, revealed she was expecting at the start of this year. She found out she was pregnant only weeks after showcasing her athletic ability in the New York Marathon. This mix of personal and professional life events has influenced her perspective on life and work.
Holmes will be moving on to even more thrilling things! She’ll play in Friday night and Sunday afternoon games, just three days a week in a simplified role. This setup gives her the flexibility to balance new motherhood with staying competitive and visible within the sport.
“It’s the best feeling to know I can have both – a career I love and precious time with my family,” Holmes said.
Holmes expects to do TV coverage of the Logies with Seven, putting her diverse skills on display outside of the AFL. Sadly, that means she’ll miss our special AFL coverage that Sunday. Her commitment to her family and work life balance, while winning, is a true testament to her character and passion for the game.
Being a mummy has changed me tremendously and for the better. The things that drove me to my career in the first place—to find this profession and to find this game—are still the same. I may never have been more excited to be back,” she declared.
In short, at 34 years of age, Abbey Holmes has already captured the imagination of AFLW supporters. Many others look up to her as she continues to navigate her career aspirations with her home life. As she prepares for her return, many look forward to seeing how she will continue to make an impact in the world of sports commentary while embracing her new role as a mother.
